Everton sign Valencia on loan

, 31 August, 196comments  |  Jump to most recent
Everton have secured Enner Valencia on loan from West Ham with a view to signing him permanently next summer for £14.5m.

The Blues have been frustrated in their search for striking reinforcements, with moves for Lucas Perez and Manolo Gabbiadini falling through and it appears, based on reports from the Mail's and the Express's northwest-focused journalists, that the club have turned to a known Premier League quantity in Valencia.  



Reader Comments (196)

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Kase Chow
1 Posted 31/08/2016 at 18:18:57
This guy is good. I'd be surprised if West Ham let him go.
Jack Convery
2 Posted 31/08/2016 at 18:23:19
As Queen once sang - no no no no no no no no NO !
Jim Knightley
3 Posted 31/08/2016 at 18:23:42
So we ignored Bony to end up with Valencia possibly... with 8 goals in 52 Premier League games.

Brilliant.

Frank Crewe
4 Posted 31/08/2016 at 18:25:58
Funny how, once the fantasising over unrealistic targets abruptly ends, we fall back on more realistic targets.
Daniel A Johnson
5 Posted 31/08/2016 at 18:34:04
Not good enough for the Hammers but he's okay for us?

He must be crap if they are selling, especially as their main striker Carroll is a crock.

Tom Hadley
6 Posted 31/08/2016 at 18:35:56
Valencia is much better than Arouna Kone, used to the EPL and on loan so minimum risk. Happy with this until we can get to offer European football and go for our 1st choice targets but I would really like to see one of Brahimi or Sissoko get done today as well.
Barry Bragg
7 Posted 31/08/2016 at 18:36:10
Barring a late surge in the final few hours, there needs to be a serious inquest into this window. Disappointing doesn't come close to describing things if we end up with a net spend of ٞ after all the talk of 𧴜m+.
Paul Rushen
8 Posted 31/08/2016 at 18:36:51
This guy is terrible, a few of my friends are massive West Ham fans and can't wait to get rid of him.

I can't believe we didn't try and sign Bony.

Michael Plant
9 Posted 31/08/2016 at 18:43:48
Whoever we go for would only be back up and I thinks that's obvious to anyone coming in. Why would Bony swap one bench for another??

Valencia was brilliant in the World Cup 2 years ago and West Ham are known to ruin strikers; I think he could be decent!

Frank Crewe
10 Posted 31/08/2016 at 18:46:49
Amazing how many people have "friends" who are fans of any club whose player we might be considering and don't rate the player at all.

So West Ham are below us, eh. We would never have bought Bobby Moore, Geoff Hurst, Trevor Brooking etc if we could have then?

Steven Scaffardi
11 Posted 31/08/2016 at 18:47:12
Jeez, it's hard being an Everton fan sometimes! Not every signing will be a first teamer, it's a squad game.

Koeman has a plan for how he wants to play, presumably with Lukaku spearheading that attack. Maybe Valencia offers a plan B option, or he seems him as an ideal type of player to support Rom in a two man attack.

Sometimes players fit a system, or even fit a club. I'd love a star striker, but I also want to see a team with options. Pelle wasn't even an international (I think!) before Koeman got hold of him, but he slotted into a system and went on to lead Italy's attack at the Euros.

I believe in what Koeman is doing. People who wanted Bony – what did he offer that was much different to Rom? Maybe Valencia isn't that marquee signing, but he offers something different and maybe that marquee signing was out of reach, therefore Koeman had a different option up his sleeve just in case, and that's Valencia.

I'd rather have Valencia than no one. Then we'd all be moaning about having our eggs in one basket, no Plan B, and no other attacking options! As I said at the start – jeez!!

Colin Glassar
12 Posted 31/08/2016 at 18:50:26
If we get him and Sissoko it wouldn't be the end of the world but, I'm as mad as hell and I'm not taking it anymore!!
Joe Digney
13 Posted 31/08/2016 at 18:51:30
Man Utd's cast-offs are one thing, but West Ham's...? Surely that's a new low?
Mike Gaynes
14 Posted 31/08/2016 at 18:51:36
Valencia's nickname is "Superman"... obviously he got a big dose of Kryptonite last year, because his game crumbled.

Plenty of pace but no product, no confidence in the box. I'd rather see us give the opportunity to McAleny than waste a spot on this yoyo.

Chris Williams
15 Posted 31/08/2016 at 18:53:52
I think he might be an improvement on Kone and Niasse though.

I think it's looking like that's what we'll have to accept this time round.

Alan Bodell
16 Posted 31/08/2016 at 18:54:07
I hope this is a fucking joke.
Liam Reilly
18 Posted 31/08/2016 at 18:56:45
Can't get excited over this at all.
Matt Garen
20 Posted 31/08/2016 at 19:01:58
I wish people would stop going on about fucking Bony. Koeman never once said he wanted him and he is lazy and a just a shite poor version of Lukaku.
Barry McNally
21 Posted 31/08/2016 at 19:10:35
Matt, I agree – if Koeman wanted him he would be at Everton now. Same goes for sicknote Remy.
Ciarán McGlone
22 Posted 31/08/2016 at 19:12:32
Thank fuck for our Director of football... Inspired stuff this.

Should've just paid some kid a fiver to dig out underperforming players on Fifa 16.

Phil Davies
23 Posted 31/08/2016 at 19:12:56
Well it's nice to see the panic has set in, there's no way we should be looking at Sissoko or Valencia.

There has to be a reason why no-one at Newcastle, West Ham or Crystal Palace was sad to see Sissoko, Valencia or Bolasie leave.

Paul Lye
24 Posted 31/08/2016 at 19:13:33
Got an outstanding record for his country! 16 from 29 games. Maybe a better player with our wingers providing the ammo.

(Clutching at straws!!)

David Barks
25 Posted 31/08/2016 at 19:13:56
Loaning from West Ham. Jesus Christ, that's depressing. To say this is a farce would be an understatement. Absolutely unacceptable.
Bobby Thomas
26 Posted 31/08/2016 at 19:14:52
Sky saying we've bitch slapped Swansea to land him!! Can you feel the adrenaline?

A loan is the best way to go if we can't get what we want. Don't think we will be doing the £14.5m next year somehow though.

Jeni Wareing
27 Posted 31/08/2016 at 19:18:35
I hope not, we have left it to late to get the right type of quality player we need, this should have been sorted weeks ago.

Marquee signing??? Bumbling Bill still in charge.

As The Who sing, "New boss – just like the old boss!!!!"

Dave Lynch
28 Posted 31/08/2016 at 19:23:44
Fuck me!

You lot amaze me. Same whinging and bitching when we signed the lad from Villa.

Look at him now...

Sondre Haga
29 Posted 31/08/2016 at 19:32:07
Could be a good move, who knows? Player with plenty of pace and movement, unlike Bony. A loan move with a view to a permanent deal isn't exactly high risk. Very clear that Koeman want plenty of pace in the side, I love it!
Denver Daniels
30 Posted 31/08/2016 at 19:33:05
Another gem unearthed by Steve Walsh. Fuck off Everton.
Paul Rushen
31 Posted 31/08/2016 at 19:39:10
I have seen him several times myself, no composure, terrible final ball, constantly offside, poor goal scoring record despite having Payet supplying him with chances.

I'm happy with the business so far, but would rather we have a youngster on the bench than this waste of space

Soren Moyer
32 Posted 31/08/2016 at 19:50:46
He is worse than Niasse, FFS!!!
Christopher Wallace
33 Posted 31/08/2016 at 19:54:51
He's on loan and gives us something different up top, which we desperately need.

Hardly an earth-shattering signing, but he's giving us pace up front. His game suffered at West Ham – a team that love a bit of hoofball – hardly suits his game now, does it??

The loan deal will cost us very little, and the window is still open. Dry your eyes for fucks sake!!

Jamie Sweet
34 Posted 31/08/2016 at 20:00:10
From my experience, Hammers fans rate him about as highly as we do Kone.
Matthew Williams
35 Posted 31/08/2016 at 20:02:31
11th-hour bid for Berahino coming up, I reckon... Yeah, I'd still have him here!
Lewis Pykett
36 Posted 31/08/2016 at 20:06:21
We couldn't get the guys RK wanted so fill in a gap just in case Lukaku gets injured. Only a loan then re-evaluate in January. Not sure why everyone's annoyed, we can't just get anyone we want. We came 11th 2 years running. In Koeman I trust, so chill out.

This is a work in progress not buy buy buy and we'll win the league this year round. This is a new project or if you like a marathon not a sprint get behind them and stop moaning all the time.

Do you trust Walsh and Koeman? ... I do!

James Stewart
37 Posted 31/08/2016 at 20:13:26
Desperation takes hold...
Harvey Miller
38 Posted 31/08/2016 at 20:14:26
This reeks of desperation, everything they have tried has failed so now this. The problem is, the sporting director system very seldom works as Man Utd, Spurs and Newcastle have proved.

I think Mr Walsh could be great at finding good players but he might not be so good at buying them, especially when they are expensive and wanted.

Danny Broderick
39 Posted 31/08/2016 at 20:28:33
Well said Lewis.

He is only coming in as back up. It makes sense.

Christopher Wallace
40 Posted 31/08/2016 at 20:33:42
Valencia could show Barkley and Mirallas (Del Boy is a lost cause) a few things about the high-paced pressing & closing game that Koeman is trying to implement.

West Ham never played to his strengths, and it's a no-brainer to get him in on loan, in my opinion.

Tony Hill
41 Posted 31/08/2016 at 20:34:33
His record at West Ham is a touch over 1 in 6. That's the only sensible comparator we have, since he will be playing in the Premier League. Not encouraging...
Sean Patton
42 Posted 31/08/2016 at 20:35:24
Terrible deal for an average player with a bad injury record not looking good for the new regime if this is the best they can do.
John Hammond
43 Posted 31/08/2016 at 20:40:36
Two 11th-place finishes and no Europe – what do you expect? We are where we are. Could suit our style of play, let's see what happens.
Clive Rogers
44 Posted 31/08/2016 at 20:49:25
Harvey (#38),

My understanding is that Walsh only identifies targets, but is not involved in signing negotiations. Kenwright is still the man in charge of that.

Kunal Desai
45 Posted 31/08/2016 at 20:51:31
I think we are getting desperate. We've presumably left things late again because we couldn't get our primary targets.
Christopher Wallace
46 Posted 31/08/2016 at 20:54:07
Sean 42

"...not looking good for the new regime if this is the best they can do."

Were you off on your holidays and somehow missed us signing Koeman, Gana, Bolasie and Williams?? Stekelenburg is also proving to be a very good signing, for a nominal fee. Sissoko on the way.

Seriously, what the actual fuck are some of you on?!

Clive Rogers
47 Posted 31/08/2016 at 20:59:47
Christopher (#46),

We've obviously had problems signing some of our primary targets, but as you say we have greatly increased the quality of the squad. This is probably our best window for 20 years. I'd have settled for it 6 weeks ago.

Christopher Wallace
48 Posted 31/08/2016 at 21:05:19
True, Clive.

Barry and Gana have been immense – can you imagine the Sissoko from the Euros playing with those two behind him and then Funes Mori, Williams and Jagielka or Holgate behind them??!!

The team is starting to look formidable. I'd like another quality striker, as well as Valencia on loan.

Chris Williams
49 Posted 31/08/2016 at 21:08:29
The squad is full of pace and power. Things we've lacked for years. We can compete with teams physically and also technically.

Now a centre forward please, and maybe Valencia would do in this squad.

John Daley
50 Posted 31/08/2016 at 21:34:13
Extremely quick, skillful, has a great work ethic, equally good with either foot and can play both upfront or out wide (which is something Koeman seems to like). West Ham have had him playing out of position, as a central/attacking midfielder, and the player himself has made it clear he's not comfortable there. That, coupled with a fair few injuries, saw his form take a big nosedive after a bright start to life in the Premier League. 

He is very lightweight though and seems like someone whose confidence has taken an almighty arse kicking. Kind of similar to Niasse in that way I guess falling over when receiving a pass, running the ball off the pitch when under no pressure and boomeranging shots back into his own ball bag etc.  

The West Ham crowd turned on him a while back and whenever I've seen him it looks like he's trying way too hard to impress and do something special to win them over. A fresh start, a change of scenery, a chance to play in his favoured position, a coach who believes in him, an arm round the shoulder and a few encouraging words in his ear, and I can see him surprising people. Then again, if he goes to attempt a volley on his debut and twats two of his teeth out of his mouth with his own boot, with the result being that the crowd instantly write him off as a Fray Bentos footed fuckwit, then he'll probably flop. Hard. 

If he does end up at Goodison he's going to need geeing up and the crowd fully behind him, not groaning at his every error and getting on his back from the off. 

On loan, with nothing really to lose, he's worth a punt.

Ciarán McGlone
51 Posted 31/08/2016 at 21:42:50
Thanks for the lift there, John. Funny stuff.
Peter Gorman
52 Posted 31/08/2016 at 23:38:04
Absolutely pointless.
Zahir Jaffer
53 Posted 31/08/2016 at 23:41:56
Niasse 2.0
Mark Wynne
54 Posted 31/08/2016 at 23:42:42
I don't think I've ever felt so disappointed.
Mike Keating
55 Posted 31/08/2016 at 23:43:23
Happy Hammers.
Tony Hill
56 Posted 31/08/2016 at 23:44:59
Welcome to the club. I hope John Daly's analysis is right and he will certainly have my full support from now on. At least he decided to join us.
John Malone
57 Posted 31/08/2016 at 23:47:55
Niasse mark two!

Really can't understand how we couldn't get a decent quality striker in to challenge/support Lukaku! It's embarrassing!

Remy or Bony would've done fine!

Just hearing on SSN that Sissoko and his agent basically used us to force Spurs into upping their offer after telling us he wanted to sign then wouldn't answer Koeman's call, what a disgrace!

Craig Fletcher
58 Posted 31/08/2016 at 23:48:01
Underwhelming deadline day. And it looks like we're still paying Niasse's wages?
Brian Hennessy
60 Posted 31/08/2016 at 23:51:13
Can someone please explain to me why we didn't even try to get Bony on loan, I just can't make sense of it. A front duo of him and Lukaku would have been excellent I think.

To be honest it seems nothing much has changed with Morshi coming in unless he redeems himself with concrete plans for a new stadium. Fair enough, the January transfer window is just a few months away and we can manage in most positions until then but it smacks of incompetence to leave us without any decent options up front except for Lukaku and still without a playmaker.

Dennis Jones
61 Posted 31/08/2016 at 23:52:42
NSNO. Plenty of effort this window I am willing to believe, but after last 3 decades, who would really want to come to second club in a run-down city in a run-down ground.

Window has been great in those we have got. Need real prospect of new stadium and more upmarket signings to tempt impressionable footballers from abroad, hence "2-year plan".

Being optimistic, best signing of window might be lad from Sheffield for just ٟmil. And Valencia to push Lukaku out of his lazy attitude.

Dazz Storm
62 Posted 31/08/2016 at 23:53:54
Oh yes!!! Keep your faith in RK! I'm more than ecstatic with the marque signings. Some people really thought for weeks we'd buy some decent players... lmfao. Example: Bolasie's price is better than having Bony and Remy combined? Yeah OK....
Hugh Jenkins
63 Posted 31/08/2016 at 23:55:02
Andy Gray, Peter Reid, et al, at al?

Moshri has paid a lot to get RK and a new DoF, both of whom are highly respected in the game.

Are either, or both, going to stake their professional reputations on signings "bums" for the sake of it?

Look at the reaction on here when we signed the Aston Villa "failure" a few weeks ago.

Give the new signings a week or ten, to bed in, get to know the management team and their new playing colleagues.

Let the new management team take them in training and let them know how they want them to manage the games.

Let's see the results - then let's judge them.

OK - we couldn't get our first choices - but I don't think either RK or SW would make "desperation signings", just for the sake of it.

So , who we have brought in, were on the radar anyway.

Let's see how they work out.

After all, before last season , who had heard of Varney? And, of those who had, who rated him as a premiership striker?

Damian Wilde
66 Posted 31/08/2016 at 23:58:58
Absolute disgrace. The one area lacking of late – GOALS. We have a few quid and desperately need a quality striker or two and get a Hammers reject on-loan... joke!!!! This lack of ambition will see us finishing 9th instead of 5th.

He's the new Kone. :o

Christy Ring
67 Posted 31/08/2016 at 23:59:48
We're an absolute joke. Pissing around for the last week trying to buy Gabbiadini, and he got what he wanted, a new deal at Napoli, the same carp with Berahimi at Porto.

Then we panic, and Sissoko and his agent use us to get a deal with Spurs. They can have him, not worth 㿊m.

We sign West Ham's 'Kone'. Nothing has changed. New owner, same crap.

We spent the Stones money. 𧴜m to spend, my arse.

Patrick Murphy
68 Posted 31/08/2016 at 00:00:37
Dennis (61) Do you really think that the City of Liverpool and it's social problems affect whether or not a player joins Everton FC? Stoke, Newcastle, Sunderland, parts of London, Southampton and other major places have social problems and deprivation too don't they? Goodison Park may be run down in terms of facilities for the supporters but it still generates an atmosphere bettered by few other grounds in England, so I can't buy that players won't come due to the state of the ground.

Why even Turin, Madrid, Paris and other major Cities have social ills yet players seem to have no problem joining clubs in those locations do they? Blame our lack of cash, expertise or just general lack of professionalism for failing to buy players but please don't use our geographical location as a factor because most of the players live far from the deprived areas of the city when and if they do sign for the club.

Joseph Terrence
69 Posted 31/08/2016 at 00:03:16
While I am disappointed that some exciting names that were linked with us chose not to/didn't sign, I think it is important to remember what happened the last time we signed a player just for the sake of getting a new name in.

Regarding Valencia, was he really played on the wings most of his time at West Ham? If so that's explain his poor goal scoring record there; was very impressed with him at the World Cup, so there is a player in there.

Lastly, it would have been nice to see a marquee midfielder come in, but rolling with Gana and Barry will do and we will get a chance to see if Tom Davies is for real which I think he will prove he is.

Phil Davies
70 Posted 31/08/2016 at 00:04:14
I'm glad we have Koeman and his ability to make the players we had last year better. We've been turned down by three central midfielders this window in Witsel, Wijnaldum and Sissoko, we desperately need a brilliant season this year or we will fall further behind.
Les Martin
71 Posted 01/09/2016 at 00:04:23
Some downers on this posting of Valencia's ability, but surely Ronald must see something in him? He has been right with the four signings brought in so far, so maybe he has a cunning plan?

Also I think were are going to have eleven new signings, for example with Mirallas losing 6 kgs (when was he ever fat?) as Ronald asked him too; Super Kev says he already is feeling the benefit. Ronald obviously will be fine tuning other players too.

Don't let's forget Ronald has only had the players for a short period, he will mould a side and make the players better. We can see already that we are fitter and better organised. People said we had a great squad under Martinez that just under achieved, can't see the latter happening now with the new regime.

Therefore I expect improvement in all the players to levels that my surprise us and of course make us a formidable team.

Onwards and upwards the Blues!

Mike Manchester
72 Posted 31/08/2016 at 00:07:08
Even if we did offer for Bony, he would have still chosen Stoke. They (he and his agent) know full well who the first-choice striker is here, and know that Wilf would have to play very well to get any run in the team. Far better to be the main man at Stoke with Peter Crouch for competition.
Jim Potter
73 Posted 01/09/2016 at 00:10:27
Good window up until today.

Valencia - Hammers fans wanted him gone. Uninspiring.

Sissoko - Magpies fans disliked him and he then showed his true colours by turning his phone off on Big Ron. Screw him.

What happened to the Algerian lad?

Still, I'm content with the keeper; I think Williams is very solid; Bolassi is potentially very exciting; and Gueye looks terrific.

Just a pity about the anti climax tonight.

Colin Glassar
74 Posted 01/09/2016 at 00:12:19
I'm not going to rate this player as I don't know too much about him but 1-2 people have mentioned his quickness. If we want a fast player why didn't we go for Usain Bolt then? He's quick and out of work right now.

Let's be honest, this was a last minute desperation deal to save a bit of face. I hope the lad comes good but after Drenthe, Traore, Gardner, Atsu etc I'm not going to hold my breath.

Ian Riley
75 Posted 31/08/2016 at 00:14:58
It's all over! The hopes and expectations of a new start. New investor, £100 million to spend may be. Welcome to our world Mr Koeman. We must be paying him a fortune to put his dreams aside for while. Thought this was the summer for real change.

I can see why the lad chose spurs over us. Champions league, new stadium in a few years, and sense of going places. How the hell did we get too late on transfer evening to a player that was offered to us because no-one else wanted him. Played us like a small club.

Kevin Gillen
76 Posted 01/09/2016 at 00:17:36
Disappointed but not suicidal. Enner Valencia is a good player, I think Evertonians will like him, great attitude as far as I can see.

We haven't really spent a penny though and 㿊m for Sissoko was never going to happen. In the long run we might have dodged a bullet with him but he was always going to choose Spurs over us even if he is supposedly an Arsenal fan.

What happened to Slimani, Brahimi? The lads we have got in have all started well but the goalkeeping appears to be only a temporary solution and we still have only three experienced centre halves, that was a disaster last season, you're one bad injury away from a crisis.

We need to get our business done earlier and unearth a few gems. I can't think that Koeman is happy right now.

Ray Robinson
77 Posted 01/09/2016 at 00:18:39
Is the Russian transfer window still open? Is there a way that we can still offload Niasse? The lad is obviously going to play no part for us this season so we need to do what Liverpool have eventually done with Balotelli and cut our losses. Surely there are other windows open somewhere?
Patrick Murphy
78 Posted 01/09/2016 at 00:22:06
Only open windows are those on the top floors of very high buildings, Ray. :)

I heard that Niasse's missus didn't fancy a return to Russia, hence he remains on our books.

Gordon Crawford
79 Posted 01/09/2016 at 00:23:49
Gutted we didn't go for Slimani. That was a big mistake. Transfer window for me was an anti climax. We sold Stones for 㿛.5 million and spent just over that on transfers and wages. Yes we are stronger with the players we brought in. But we didn't get any of the top top players that we were supposedly after. Still not convinced we had that much money to spend.

This window has been a real reality check to just how far the club have fallen since the '80s. We are no longer one of the big boys. In those days Merseyside was the place to play, not London. And you just wouldn't have chosen Spurs over Everton.

Mike Manchester
80 Posted 01/09/2016 at 00:25:35
Equador vs Brazil Today at 10pm. Might be a few blues watching that!
Trevor Peers
81 Posted 01/09/2016 at 00:25:56
Disappointing sure, but it takes time to build something good, especially after two disastrous seasons under a piss-poor amateur of a manager. The test of a good manager is to lift the club after a setback and that's exactly what Koeman will do, I believe.

Now is the time for patience, RK has made a solid start let's get behind the team and not let tonight dampen our belief, we've made some decent signings. Let's build on that.

Gordon Crawford
82 Posted 01/09/2016 at 00:28:21
Even Watford spent more than us.
Jamie Sweet
86 Posted 01/09/2016 at 00:28:40
We're in a Champions League spot on the table with a net spend of bugger all.

The lad from Sheffield is the attacking version of Stones / Holgate.

We kept the better of the above two lads from Barnsley and got a fortune for the other.

Stek, Gueye, Williams and Bolasie are gems.

We've got Ronald Koeman.

Lukaku is about to find his goal-scoring boots.

We didn't spunk all our money on a couple of mercenaries with stinking attitudes.

What's not to love about all this?


Or, you know, this entire window was a shambolic disaster and we're doomed to decades more of mediocrity.


Only time will tell .

Garry Corgan
87 Posted 01/09/2016 at 00:28:47
Who did what?
James Hill
88 Posted 01/09/2016 at 00:30:52
Great Post Les #72. We can't believe all the rumours that the media put out there. I'm sure Ronald Koeman has the type of players he wants in the squad well fixed in his mind.

There are not a lot of really proven strikers available that you would say are going to be better than what we have. I'm not counting the likes of Niasse and Kone in that, although I have a suspicion that RK might turn the later around.

So they have had a couple of targets that have not come off this time. I for one am not concerned I am sure Ronald will cope with what he has got rather than panic buy.

Must be something about that name Sissoko, I seem to remember we lost out to the shite with someone with a similar name who also flopped.
Nathan Rooney
89 Posted 01/09/2016 at 00:31:10
Not the most inspiring of deadline days, but hey ho, were Everton aren't we.

To be fair, Looking at the whole window, I can't really be too hard on the club or manager, and am happy overall.

Outgoings
We've sold an admittedly good young player who sadly didn't want to stay with us, for very good money, released some of the bigger earners from the wage bill.

Incomings
Stekelenburg – I wasn't sure but he has done a brilliant job thus far... better than Tim Howard and Robles; tick.

Williams – proper defender, future captain material; tick.

Gana – just what we needed for absolute peanuts; big tick.

Bolasie – hated him playing against us, hoping for some big things; undecided.

Valencia – back up to Rom needed desperately as Kone often injured/crap and Geri/Mirallas are a different option, on loan with potential buy; feels like a tick to me.

I would have preferred a few more incomings, as I'm sure big Ron would have, but I think we're better equipped now than we were before the transfer window, and that's all we can hope for.

Let's give Koeman, Walsh and Moshiri more than one window before we rip the living piss out of them, ey?

Mike Manchester
90 Posted 01/09/2016 at 00:35:46
Silimani has gone to Less-turd to play in the champions league. Rest assured he will have get out clauses in his contract.

No Denying it, this is not how any of us thought the window would close. We NEED to fly high all the way to January to get what we want in the next window or we will be in exactly the same position then.

ps: Sissoko is a twat.

James Marshall
91 Posted 01/09/2016 at 00:36:11
I seem to be in the minority of those happy with the window. We're going to be decent this season. Much more organisation overall, stronger at the back with more options all over the pitch.

I always liked the look of Valencia, and he's now one of three strikers on our books and decent competition for Lukaku.

All-in-all, our squad looks pretty healthy to me. Now we can concentrate on the football instead of the circus.

James McPherson
92 Posted 01/09/2016 at 00:37:23
James, we are club that is still selling to buy.
James Marshall
94 Posted 01/09/2016 at 00:40:47
No we're not. Just because we have money doesn't mean we get the players we want. There are too many factors to list, but money, Champions League football are two of them.

We clearly tried to buy other players, but various scenarios conspired against us.

I'm feeling very positive despite the misery on here! Times are changing, but it won't happen overnight.

Dan Davies
95 Posted 01/09/2016 at 00:40:53
I hope Lukaku finds his scoring boots soon or we could be in trouble.
James Marshall
96 Posted 01/09/2016 at 00:44:23
Our best start in 10 years, fourthin the league with plenty of new players after the Martinez debacle and people are pissed off? Baby steps.
Ciarán McGlone
97 Posted 01/09/2016 at 00:48:32
We're not second in the league.. and we have a right to be pissed off, given what has just transpired. Koeman, by his own admission, has failed to get the players he said he needed.

Point taken though, we go with what we've got. Grin and bare it... The Everton way.

James Marshall
98 Posted 01/09/2016 at 00:50:37
Sorry 4th, I think. The point still stands. We have a good, competitive squad now. Onwards!
Anthony Dwyer
99 Posted 01/09/2016 at 00:53:26
James we are 4th and its 3 games played.

People are disappointed because we all expected so much more from this window for a number of reasons.

Firstly we have Moshiri and with him came talk of big transfer budget.

Secondary we were all aware that the TV money had increased a lot this year allowing teams to loosen the purse strings.

Third reason was shaving wages on over the hill players like Ossie, Hibo, Howard and Pienaar, freeing up around 𧶀,000 a week.

All the hype and we end up losing Stones, signing a 32-year-old as a replacement, bringing in a cheap keeper (granted he' done well in 4 matches), signing Bolasie as the marquee signing and bringing in a loan forward who's failed to bag double figures goal wise in over 50 games for West Ham.

Very disappointing imo.

Darryl Ritchie
100 Posted 01/09/2016 at 00:55:11
Valencia on loan seems a decent bit of business. Not a world beater, but improved backup for Lukaku.

Not ready to end it all because of a less than exciting window. We're a better squad after, than we were before, so while I'm not euphoric, I'm satisfied.

I got the impression that a lot of players that we fancied, did not fancy coming to an eleventh place club. We'll do better in January.

Anthony Dwyer
101 Posted 01/09/2016 at 00:55:46
I could easily swallow this type of window under the old regime, as it's what we are used too, but all the hype surrounding the new regime has upped our expectations and I now feel very deflated.
Gordon Crawford
102 Posted 01/09/2016 at 01:04:04
James, the problem is that we have reverted back to baby steps. This club was once the pinnacle of English football, no baby steps needed. Then one day it all started to go tits up. We didn't know how to walk anymore.

So year after year we have all waited and waited for this great club to get back on its feet. And it looked like it was happening when a certain David Moyes came on the scene. But we know how that ended.

Then Roberto came along, and you know the story. So for us to revert back to baby steps is an insult to this great football institution. I keep hoping that I will be around to see Everton not just walking again, but running around faster than Usain Bolt.

COYB.

Si Cooper
103 Posted 01/09/2016 at 01:20:30
Let's shelve this 11th place nonsense as a reason for players rejecting us. Leicester showed everyone (players included) that previous seasons' performances can mean very little.

A good manager and board should be able to sell our club to the vast majority of players, apart from those dead set on a nicer climate / capital city lifestyle.

Todd Scott
104 Posted 01/09/2016 at 01:21:21
In Steve Walsh I trust.
Darryl Ritchie
105 Posted 01/09/2016 at 01:35:05
Champions League is what most players wish for. A one-off, miracle season that Leicester pulled off last time makes them attractive to players who want Champions League. I think every player that they signed this window is going to have a very explicit escape clause. Any stumble of form, and they will be gone.
James Marshall
106 Posted 01/09/2016 at 01:40:46
Remember when Man City suddenly became rich? Well things didn't change overnight for them either. Being realistic, we're not a top club anymore, so talk us being a great footballing institution is a bit old-hat.

We haven't won anything or been in the European Cup (CL now) in the lifetime of todays footballers. We're not a big name club to anyone other than those old enough to remember.

Yes, we have money, but we don't hold any prestige in modern football for those reasons. I just think people need to be more realistic in their approach to our standing in the game at the moment.

We're in a stronger position now than we have been for years, so I personally see things in a positive light as a result.

Williams is 32, but a much better defender than John Stones. Gana is a class act, Bolasie can be a world beater (and sometimes a panel beater), and Valencia has some talent so suits us as a backup forward.

Football isn't always about buying the big names, it's about blend and player chemistry. If you want evidence, you only have to look at our team from the 80's to realise that – so many Evertonians look at our history as the yard-stick, but the modern day reality is that history is meaningless and we're not a top team as things stand.

Teams like Spurs and Leicester have Champions League football to offer, so players are more likely to go there over us – they aren't going to look at Everton and say, "Oh they have a rich history, I really want to play for them". That only matters to us supporters.

Steve Brown
107 Posted 01/09/2016 at 01:45:18
Sissoko isn't worth £30 million on anyone's money. Disappointing last few days but better to keep the money and plan for January.
Shaun Wilson
108 Posted 01/09/2016 at 01:57:39
3 or 4 signings? An under 23 and Andy Carrolls back up? Have to agree with Denver # 30 – fuck off Everton. Been a fan since 1984, and today has been one of the most disappointing days I've experienced, and I like all other Everton fans, have seen some shit days. Don't promise what you can't deliver.

Frank #10 – yes, we are bigger club than West Ham, as far as I am concerned and I am sure lots of other Evertonians would agree with me. When's the last time they won anything? Maybe when those great players you mentioned played, but England had a good team then too so I guess they have won as much as England has since then. And to compare Valencia to these 3 greats – you're nuts. Can't foresee a Valencia stand at their new stadium anytime soon.

I hope you know what you're doing, RK. I want to have faith but today I got the cold slap of reality that we are still the same old Everton – a day late and a dollar short
Anthony Dwyer
109 Posted 01/09/2016 at 02:01:59
James Marshall.

I agree with your logic in regards to our history not holding a lot of sway with players now a days, but I'm not sure about your comment about us now being a club with money.

Also Man City did spend and become big over night, they done it by buying big name players on huge wages to get themselves recognised as the real deal.

They got Robinho on the first day, it basically had the world sit up and notice they weren't messing about.

It was something like the equivalent of us buying Isco today, and following it up with other big deals.

We are nowhere near that level, players and agents get a feel of what's really going on at a club, and Moshiri has had long enough to convince players of his project.

I'm not expecting a Man City transformation, clearly that's never happening, but money talks in the world of football, and if we had big bucks then we would now have big names at the club.

Paul Kossoff
110 Posted 01/09/2016 at 02:40:48
Ten goals in 67 appearances 17 of them substitute. Are we to believe that Koeman sanctioned this transfer when Bony was available?

Why didn't we get Indi on loan seeing as Southampton and Sunderland wouldn't do business?

Would West Ham let this player go if he was any good considering the injuries they have?

We are still waiting till the last minute to bring players in to save a few Bob.

The transfers we have made were only done because of the Stones money, if McCarthy had gone then possibly another player would have come in.

If Lukaku gets injured we are stuffed.

Moshiri and his mythical war chest of a 𧴜 million was just that, a myth.

Freddy Maldonado
112 Posted 01/09/2016 at 02:54:53
Being a South American, I keep track of those players internationally and at their clubs. Enner has some decent strengths. He is so quick that he will open up space for everybody around him. If he plays behind Lukaku, this is a nightmare for defenders. His hold up play is good so this will give the wingers time to cut in and slice up the defense.

He does have challenges as a lone striker, specially against a well trained defense. Ashley Williams type of defenders that hold their ground usually win out. He will need people to spoon feed him at times. West Ham's midfield isn't as talented as Everton so he may enjoy life with us. He relies on players like Valencia of Manure, when on International Duty, so playing at a club like ours with better Wingbacks and Wingers might go a ways to rekindle the fire.

I think this is a good move. If it doesn't work, it's a loan. If it works, then we get first dibs at a serviceable backup at the club.

Jay Wood
113 Posted 01/09/2016 at 02:59:15
Had an outstanding World Cup with Ecuador in 2014, on the back of which de Hammers signed him up. Looked very good early on, but has not been prolific or (under Bilic) a regular pick.

Not the top drawer striker many were hoping for, but let's see what RK can do with him before discounting him without first kicking a ball for us.

I'll certainly be watching Ecuador-Brazil tomorrow with greater interest.

Benny Snow
114 Posted 01/09/2016 at 03:00:54
Wow so many moaners... "wheres the $100 million?!"

What about the money it costs to pay the new lads Williams, Bolasie, Gana, Stekelenburg and Valencia each week?

What about the $14 million we have lost on Niasse plus his $45k wages over 4 years = $9.3 million, $23 million gone.

$10 million Roberto payout.

It all adds up.

Windows closed we did pretty good business to be fair, could have done with a world class striker/play maker but no one is interested in EFC at the mo. Lets get to January in the top 6 and then we can start to temp the big fish for the final push.

Give Valencia a chance before you write him off, eh.

Paul Kossoff
115 Posted 01/09/2016 at 03:08:33
Everton made a profit in this transfer window of £2.4 million, well done Kenwright!!!
Colin Metcalfe
116 Posted 01/09/2016 at 03:10:37
Oh dear what on earth is going on? Valencia can't get into the hammer's first team and we take him on loan with a view to signing him! FFS Everton!!
Dominic Tonge
117 Posted 01/09/2016 at 03:42:19
I have decided to call a cease-fume and look at this window objectively.

Firstly I defumed a little when I realised that Even though Martinez is still in a job. It's not with us. Instead we have a pragmatic manager, with an illustrious playing career at the very highest level. We are unbeaten. We are fourth. We are above Liverpool.

I realised we had sold a player who didn't want to be here any more, and for a tidy profit. Now it's my belief that John Stones will captain England, he will in my opinion be world class (But I also think that, if Moshiri's wedge is real, and we get a ground, we could be in a position to buy him back if we need – dream big, I say.)

We got Ashley Williams in... I thought this as I made a brew... not a worldie, but a bloody good defender, and let's be honest, we need defenders more than we need Cruyff turns in our own box at the moment. Williams is not a yard dog, he can play a bit, and he likes to talk – it's nice to hear him marshal the defence as we were short on leaders last season.

This was Defume Part Two, and at this point I took the Moussa Sissoko voodoo doll out of the blender, and started picking up the pieces of my shattered deadline day dreams.

Stekelenburg's not been too bad, and ٥m is a huge loan free for Capitano Forfora (genuinely the Italian for Captain Dandruff . Stekelenburg's played in some big games, the boss knows him, and he's already saved us points. To be fair, even if we'd signed a keeper, dropping Stekelnebur would be very bad form. Hmmm I thought as I cleaned up the tissues from around my couch, I wish we'd have gone for Martins Indi (a combination of Natalie Sawyer and a shit transfer window meant that I had in fact used a lot of tissues was my second thought, swiftly followed by urggghh, I should wash my hands!) then I thought. Mason bloody Holgate though... So yeah, sod Bruno, give the lad a chance, he's looked sharp. Plus, Marko Arnautovic might still be in his pocket, and if so, would he count as a signing too?

Then I had a mini fume relapse: I remembered how much we paid for Bolasie... hmmm, then I thought, do you know what, Jordan Ibe was 㾻m, Sissoko was 㿊m, I'd rather have Bolasie than Sissoko, and I'd rather have shingles than Jordan Ibe. The lad's one of us now, and he's firing crosses into Rom, not Jason Puncheon, so that's okay too.

I had a ciggy, and then I remembered McGeady went to PNE. So that cancelled out my Niasse-based negativity.

Then I remembered Gana. Then I remembered we bought a player who cost Villa ٧m, for ٥m... then I chuckled. Then I remembered Sissoko was 㿊m, 㾺m more than Spurs wanted to initially pay. That's two Ganas. Then I chuckled more.

Then I thought, we kept Rom too. And we got cover in. Then I pondered over the question: Do I want a West Ham cast-off? Then I remembered West Ham are owned by a porn baron and a plazzy gangster and a bird off The Apprentice, and that they have Andy Carroll on their books and as such, them rating a player is possibly not the best test.

I trust Koeman thus far, bit gutted Slimani didn't sign The fume-o-metre had a wobble. It stabilised when I realised we aren't going to sign the Valencia lad unless he is excellent. If he is, then good... sign him... if not, pie him off. Easy.

I was frustrated we didn't get more in, but hey, we could have paid serious cash for our very own roque Santa Cruz type signings. We didn't. It could be worse...

Anto Byrne
118 Posted 01/09/2016 at 03:44:44
Great opportunity for 3 or 4 kids to press for a place. Davies can push Barkley while Holgate should keep his place on merit. Having said that it means Coleman has to perform. I noticed that Kone is playing more direct and running at defenders. Last term we scored lots of goals but leaked just as many.

I think RK has tightened up the defending and we created enough chances to have beaten Stoke and Spurs with wider margins. I think this team can now game manage a single goal lead. I'm more optimistic than I was a year ago having to put up with the Martinez shite. If we are thereabouts come January, perhaps another one or two players may be more inclined to come to Everton.

Kristian Boyce
119 Posted 01/09/2016 at 03:59:12
I spoke with my Hammer mate as soon as we were linked with him earlier. His response was "Haha, you can have him, he's shit".

Later on, when the deal was finalized, he responded slightly pissed off. Not because they lost a good player, but due to it only really leaving one fit forward at the club, Zaza. Not really thought of highly at the club if they are willing to let him go, even though they have two forward players out injured, one long term and the other a perennial crock.

Dave Lynch @28, the difference between Gueye and Valencia is that Villa fans were sad to see him go as he was their best player. West Ham fans are rejoicing.

Barry Jones
120 Posted 01/09/2016 at 04:05:45
John Daley, I agree with your comments. Enner Valencia is a very, very good player. This is another good acquisition. As John said, with a coach who can restore his confidence, he is more than capable of putting on a show.

Guys, get behind him and give him a chance. In my opinion, he will prove many of the doubters on here wrong.

Paul Ferry
121 Posted 01/09/2016 at 04:23:44

Ciaràn McGlone 97 can you please show me chapter and verse – not 2nd or 3rd or 4th speak – where our manager actually said this as you claim – 'Koeman, by his own admission, has failed to get the players he said he needed'.

Kieran Kinsella
122 Posted 01/09/2016 at 04:31:34
Freddy

I concur. Watched Ecuador in Copa America. No great shakes but a solid back line and the two Valencias wreaking havoc on the counter attack. Enner would be awful under RM with the slow passing game. Under RK he might be great. No pissing about at the back, get it out quick and let him run. Similar with Bolasie and Mirallas. Shock and awe attack not slow build up stuff.

Seems like RK likes these types so he should fit in well. Will he be a starter? Probably not but he's a good option of the bench and offers something different to Kone who I actually like but accept that his injuries and goals ratio are a problem.

I like Kone in that he's an intelligent player, he reads the game. Just a shame the mind is willing but the flesh is weak.

David Barks
123 Posted 01/09/2016 at 04:33:25
Yeah Barry, because that Bilic was so terrible at installing confidence in his players, like Payet and the rest of the team that was challenging for a champions league place last season.

He's so quality that the club let him go despite being in the midst of an injury crisis. He's so good that he's scored about a third the number of goals in his time at that club as Lukaku scored last season alone. Yeah, quality. I'm surprised Arsenal didn't come in for him.

Brian Wilkinson
124 Posted 01/09/2016 at 04:37:28
Could be worse, Newcastle lost Sissoko and brought Atsu in on loan.

As for these I want Champions League, bloody well earn it by getting your new club into it, instead of having it handed on a plate.

Alan J Thompson
125 Posted 01/09/2016 at 04:47:23
Ask me again in 6 months.

After being critical of Fulham's 4th-choice keeper, I'm thinking that having a look first might be the best course.

Tony Steele
126 Posted 01/09/2016 at 04:52:15
(#72) Well said, Mike. For all we know Bony's mind may well have been made up last week. It's about players moving to improve their situation. He's now the main man at Stoke. Valencia, as underwhelming as he sounds, is prepared to be back for our marquee striker.
Mark Pierpoint
127 Posted 01/09/2016 at 05:34:36
I think we have to play the long game here. I get the feeling that there is a groundswell of support who expect us to spend this supposed £100m on anyone with a pulse as opposed to not spending it. Reality is that we have been unable to get the players we want for a few reasons:

1) We are not in Europe, but have a good first 11 on paper. To get the sort of players we want to improve this squad we are inevitably competing with such teams.

2) Everyone in the Premier League can offer big money. Throwing a few quid at it doesn't have the impact it would have done 5-6 years ago when City were at it (albeit on a bigger scale).

3) Koeman and Walsh have been playing catch up all summer. Martinez probably was devising his plan for summer from February onwards. These pair come in in June. Other clubs had months on us. Not surprising that the players we bought were all ex-Leicester targets.

4) Bad luck and naivety – Hindsight is a wonderful thing, but I think the club has to be a bit more savvy though with the pitfalls on foreign players. Gabbiadini does not have the record to warrant waiting a week to buy him. We should have moved on earlier. In the meantime we have lost out on a chance at Bony. (I imagine he would be somewhere on the list if not at the top. Higher than Valencia though.) Similarly with the Algerian lad, we have been chasing a loser due to the third party ownership evidently.

Let's not chastise Walsh in particular yet. Today his recruitment plan for the next window starts. Hopefully a bit more focused than the one we have gone through now. In the meantime I have confidence that the squad is good enough to push on. We are heavily reliant on Lukaku still, but that is a risk we will have to live with.

Colin Grierson
128 Posted 01/09/2016 at 05:41:43
My ma reckons I'm the dogs bollocks and cant understand why Halle Berry won't move in. I think me ma's a bit biased to be honest. I suppose I'll have to settle for the best I can attract. Aim high and get a few knock-backs along the.way.
Jay Woods
130 Posted 01/09/2016 at 06:15:03
I'm flabbergasted.

I live in Latvia now so I went to bed a few hours before the window closed, with the headlines saying that we had pretty much bagged Sissoko (who was world class in the Euros and made Pogba look ordinary).

I woke up this morning like a kid on Christmas day, all excited and expecting it to be confirmed and added to with another good signing.

But instead, Spurs wiped our eye and we have bought nobody else. It's like we're back to where we were when we had no money.

I'm sure I don't speak for the rest of you, but Moshiri should have had a fallback offer to ensure we nuked Spurs' offer.

Same with the Brahimi bid.

Essentially, we are not in the CL or the Europa League so clearly, we're not a big draw. Accordingly, we have to pay over the odds just to catch up. Man City did back in the day when they were trying to get where they are today.

We can only hope this will have proven a big lesson for Moshiri, Koeman, et al. And that Sissoko turns out to keep his form only for France.

In the meantime, let's hope this horrible end to a spectacularly unsuccessful transfer window doesn't impact too badly on Koeman's plans and the team's progress.

And let's also hope the club makes sure to learn from this debacle come the next window.

David Price
131 Posted 01/09/2016 at 06:34:34
Never watched him apart from on MotD. Then again I never knew much about Gana and what a player he turned out to be.

Come on lads, let's give him a chance. In Ronald I trust. I think he knows who he wants and he seems very shrewd at not being drawn into bidding wars.

Sissoko did not want to play for us, well jog on! Two good games at the Euros and he's a genius. I think the Premier League is getting out of control. Fair play to us for not being jerked around.
Brian Porter
132 Posted 01/09/2016 at 06:55:10
I was fortunate to have watched almost every game of the last World Cup where Valencia was superb for Ecuador, not a major nation but they caused few ripples. At the time, I thought Martinez would move for him with his so-called Latin connections but instead his only move was for Besic. Maybe he watched the wrong games?

Soon after, I was gobsmacked to hear Valencia had signed for West Ham. I thought at the time he was unsuited to the Hammers' style of play and they have never really utilised his skills and undoubted speed and ability.

We may just find he fits well with Koeman's style and attacking set-up so let's not be too quick to judge. He also looked sharp playing for Ecuador in the recent Copa America, so maybe at West Ham he was in a similar situation with Bilic as Mirallas was under Martinez last season.

We've seen more of the old Mirallas in a few weeks under Koeman so let's hope he can conjure up a similar reaction from Enner Valencia. Good players don't become bad ones overnight so give the guy a chance. He might just surprise a few of you doubters.

Mark Rankin
133 Posted 01/09/2016 at 07:05:02
@130 "spectacularly unsuccessful" window – we've brought in 4 first team starters, can't have been many more successful?
Vishal Poorundersingh
134 Posted 01/09/2016 at 07:11:38
@132 Thanks Brian. I appreciate your positiveness, it makes my day. Bring on the next match.
Chris Gould
135 Posted 01/09/2016 at 07:24:27
Great post, Brian, but unfortunately I don't think many are ready to listen. Most are too angry, and understandably so.

It's very hard to get a top quality back-up striker. You are buying someone who has to be prepared to play second fiddle to Lukaku. We aren't going to play with 2 up top.

Many are wondering why we didn't go for Bony but it's because he isn't an effective player coming off the bench. Valencia has pace and can cause damage late on.

I was frustrated last night but I think it's been a productive summer. Hopefully Valencia will find a new lease of life with us. He's still young and could really kick on in the right environment.

Liam Reilly
136 Posted 01/09/2016 at 07:27:17
To look at the deadline day in isolation to the rest of the window is short sighted.

We got: a cracking new manager and coaching team, a well respected chief scout, a defensive midfielder at a steal, a pacey winger, a solid loan and a goalkeeper that looks like he can hold his own at least to buy us time.

Sissoko didn't excite me for that money. He would've been our record signing for fucks sake. There's better out there for that and I'd rather that was used toward the docks site.

Koeman says 2 years to build a team; let's give him that.

Anto Byrne
137 Posted 01/09/2016 at 07:29:37
Great opportunity for 3 or 4 kids to press for a place. Davies can push Barkley while Holgate should keep his place on merit. Having said that it means Coleman has to perform.

I noticed that Kone is playing more direct and running at defenders. Last term we scored lots of goals but leaked just as many. I think RK has tightened up the defending and we created enough chances to have beaten Stoke and Spurs with wider margins.

I think this team can now game manage a single goal lead. I'm more optimistic than I was a year ago having to put up with the Martinez shite. If we are there abouts come January perhaps another one or two players may be more inclined to come to Everton.

Gordon Roberts
138 Posted 01/09/2016 at 07:32:35
We are disappointed because of the crazy world we live in where social media has over hyped the whole situation. We have been linked with so many players, the majority of whom Koeman was not interested in. We have 3 additions who are of a high standard and will be first choice this season (Williams, Gana and Bolasie).

A keeper who will ultimately be our second choice but is an improvement on previous incumbents, a striker on loan for a season who wants to impress and a couple of youngsters for the future. It would have been unrealistic to introduce any more players without upsetting the squad dynamics and it would seem we have dodged a bullet in Sissoko.

Roll on the January window in 17 weeks!

Gareth Oughton
139 Posted 01/09/2016 at 07:53:59
You lot crack me up/depress me. The point of bringing Walsh in is to stop making knee-jerk transfer decisions, so I'd much rather wait until January/next summer and build with what we have now.

Gueye, Stekelenburg, Williams, Bolassie & Valencia are a more exciting set of transfers than we've had in years and you lot still moan. On top of that, we've got a great coaching team in place along with a guy who has shown what he can with time as a Director of Football.

Seriously, get some perspective lads.

Eddie Dunn
140 Posted 01/09/2016 at 07:55:21
The frustration on here is largely down to higher expectations due to the "Moshiri money". This may or may not exist, but even if it was sitting in a suitcase on Ron's desk all night, would we really want it all gambled on one window?

We could have tried to get Sissoko earlier ditto Gabbiadini and Brahimi. Who knows the demands from clubs/agents that prevented completion.

Koeman was brought in late in the summer, and Walsh later still. The squad already looks fitter and we have managed to get some of our youngsters out on loan and offload some older players.

Gueye looks great, as does the keeper, and Bolasie and Valencia will add pace and trickery to our forward line. It would have been good to see a quality goal machine to give Rom some competition and a Mata/Fabregas type for the midfield.

By January the whole project will be established and potential targets will be able to see what we are aiming at. I am confident that we will be in a handy position and be able to attract some better players by then.

Incidentally, whenever I have watched Valencia, I have been impressed with him so don't vent your spleen on him just because we missed out on other targets. This leaves us in a better place than this time last year.
COYBs.

Jon Withey
141 Posted 01/09/2016 at 08:01:04
Bettered by Stoke again!

Time to stop pretending things have changed significantly.

Readjusting my expectations –not the worst window in recent times and we have a better team.

James Morgan
142 Posted 01/09/2016 at 08:02:31
I suppose the scariest thing is Niasse is still with us.
Willliam Bruce
143 Posted 01/09/2016 at 08:06:20
I have just checked out this Valencia chap on YouTube, where everyone looks a world beater.

Oh dear!

Hope I am wrong.

Andy Walker
144 Posted 01/09/2016 at 08:07:18
I'd rather trust the decision-making of the professionals, Koeman and Walsh, rather than the amateurs on here. Never seen so much negative rubbish.

Can you imagine if Spurs hadn't come in for Sissoko? We'd have spent 㿊m on a player who'd conned us to believing he wanted to play for us. We dodged a bullet there.

Valencia is quick, works hard (the main complaint from the Lukaku moaners) and made a good start to the EPL. He was then played in midfield out of position. He's no Niasse.

As for Bony, he was shit at Man City and appears less mobile than Lukaku.

Mark Buckley
145 Posted 01/09/2016 at 08:09:32
If Gueye can be bought for £7 or 8M then Sissoko at £30M is stupid money. Newcastle fans don't rate him. Watching him he fundamentally doesn't have control over the ball and he doesn't shift his weight properly, almost like someone that started playing the game too late.

If you can't buy quality then don't spend the cash (remember how we slated United for Fellaini @ £27M when Fellaini + Baines were being talked about at £24M?!). Keep the cash, keep the good start to the season going, get the stadium, have a look in the next window (when Portuguese sides hopefully will cop on...).

Management has done okay. The only thing I'd have done differently was pull out of Sissoko earlier, the failure to land was bad PR. Bill hasn't brought us tonnes of success but at least he didn't buy Carroll for £30M or Balotelli for £16M..

Steve Hartwell
146 Posted 01/09/2016 at 08:19:57
Soren Moyer@32

Is that even possible?

Ian Jones
147 Posted 01/09/2016 at 08:23:37
Thank you Liam at 136 for pointing out the transfer window is not all about deadline day.

I would rather have players at Everton who want to be at the club. Sissoko obviously wasn't keen to be here whereas McAleny is.

I would like him to have his chance to see what he can do in our first team. I don't know much about him but others on here have posted that he is a decent player.

Mark Buckley
148 Posted 01/09/2016 at 08:32:53
Read and rejoice...
http://www.themag.co.uk/2016/09/moussa-sissoko-want-play-big-team-chance-now-tottenham-newcastle-united/
Brent Stephens
149 Posted 01/09/2016 at 08:33:34
As per Eddie Dunn #140 - our expectations were raised (reasonably or not) for yesterday and the degree of disappointment is probably influenced by that.
Mike Manchester
150 Posted 01/09/2016 at 08:51:05
People saying "no problem"... "in Koeman I trust". Yes, well so do I. And only a couple of days ago Ronald said he wanted 3-4 more players.

The dissapointing thing is that this Steve Walsh is supposed to be finding unknown gems with the right mind-set, and we end up getting punk'd by a sack of shit who is known to all of us. Great work, Walsh.

Ray Jacques
151 Posted 01/09/2016 at 08:57:59
What happens if Lukaku picks up an injury that keeps him out for 10 weeks?

I wanted him gone in the summer due to his gobby dad/agent and poor attitude towards us, now I hope and pray he can stay fit and perform as if he doesn't then I don't see a top 6 finish.

Benny Snow
153 Posted 01/09/2016 at 09:10:55
Sissoko world class? He had a good euros against weak opposition and still got zero assists and zero goals. He cannot cut it in the EPL, simple. $30mil saved I'd hate to think he is on $80-$100k a week over 5 years.
Simon Jones
154 Posted 01/09/2016 at 09:14:43
Anyone ITK know if Niasse will get a squad number now?
Dave Abrahams
155 Posted 01/09/2016 at 09:16:16
For me, it has been a good transfer window; we are stronger than when we started the summer, the only really disappointing affair was that we were prepared to pay 㿊M for Sissoko.

I know the fees being paid today are crazy but that one is beyond belief for me, a full-time mercenary who just chased the money with no regard for any club he was going to, happy to have missed him.

Ray Roche
156 Posted 01/09/2016 at 09:20:36
Mike (#150),

In what way is any of this Walsh's fault? If he identifies players, and there have been several we have either been linked with or tried to sign, but if we don't manage to sign them then that, surely, is the fault of the negotiating team. Not Walsh, his scouting of Gana may yet prove to be the best signing of the transfer window. Him for ٥m of mercenary Sissoko for 㿊m? I know who I prefer.

Maybe we should aim our ire at the right people. I doubt if Koeman is impressed with any of this fiasco.

Sajid Patel
157 Posted 01/09/2016 at 09:24:42
He's not a bad striker at West Ham he's not been played to his strengths.

He's got pace and he's a handful.

He's international record is pretty good!

He's better than Kone and might give lakaku some competition.

Dave Ganley
158 Posted 01/09/2016 at 09:31:16
Think some people need to get a grip and realise just how far along we are compared to the mess we were in at the end of last season. We have a coaching team in who actually know what they're doing, players who are responding to said coaching team and actually looking like they give a shit, we have an owner who will spend money but not recklessly and we have started the season quite well. Allied to that we have brought in Gueye, Williams, the Stek and Bolasie all of whom are improvements on what we had. We got rid of a player who hasn't wanted to be here for over a year and who may or may not (all subjective) be the next Bobby Moore and got 50 mil for him to boot.

We, imo, dodged a bullet by Spurs getting Sissoko and brought in a player on loan who, if I remember correctly started last season on fire till he got injured. As others have said, most people were completely underwhelmed with Gana and look at him now. I'm actually quite happy with what we've got now and am glad we didn't spend money on players who would just be here to.pick up a fat wedge .Sissoko imo being that kind of player. It will take a while and good performances on the field for top players to want to come here. It will come. And for those quoting Citeh as splashing the cash to get Robinho when they first got money,well firstly there was only the chavs then who had that sort of money, everyone has lots of cash now so it's so much harder to entice purely for money .also he hardly set the world alight either typical player who went for the money. Performed in probably couple of games a season.

God knows what some people will think if we actually become successful they will have fuck all to moan about!! After 3 utterly dire years with the idiot Martinez we finally have some light at the end of that long dark tunnel. Stop fucking moaning about who we haven't signed and start supporting who we have got.

Mike Manchester
160 Posted 01/09/2016 at 10:28:48
My point was more that the players he identifies need to be good footballers, good people and a good fit. With Sissoko he's clearly missed that mark.

I really think we were only one central midfielder and one goalkeeper short. Valencia is a decent player and, as has been pointed out several times, Gana does look awesome.

Probably more annoyed at us being made to look like dummies than the transfer itself.

Dale Rose
161 Posted 01/09/2016 at 10:30:17
Well said, Dave. Right on the money.
Keith Leonard
162 Posted 01/09/2016 at 10:38:39
Just what is this fascination we have in buying players who don't score, don't provide assists and usually cost a lot of money?

We need a forward who can score goals, either with Lukaku or on their own... as Lukaku appears to have lost it: just 2 goals in half a season!?!?

Ryan Payne
163 Posted 01/09/2016 at 10:42:06
I totally agree with Dennis (61). At the end of the day, if you weren't an Everton fan, really why would you sign for us? Simply making up the Premier League numbers year on year and, unfortunately, to everybody but ourselves we are the second team in this city. I will probably be lambasted for this but, this is the reality unfortunately.

In time, yes, we could become a force with Moshiri, but right now we're just as far away from success as we have been for the past 20 years, with a transfer window with a net spend of practically zero, despite the apparent 'anxious' owner and his funds.

Colin Williams
165 Posted 01/09/2016 at 10:46:59
This lad could be a top performer for us. Valencia has many opposite/ positive attributes to that useless lump we have. I'm delighted we have him for the season.

It will be really interesting to see what/ if our coaching team can help bring forward/ develop this lad's undoubted talent!!! Great loan, nothing lost, just a clever loan deal, well done, Ronald!

Liam Reilly
166 Posted 01/09/2016 at 10:51:33
"God knows what some people will think if we actually become successful they will have fuck all to moan about!!"

Wouldn't be so sure about that, Dave.

Brian Furey
167 Posted 01/09/2016 at 10:56:12
A lot of anger and frustration on here as I expected but lots of us don't have a clue how tough it is to bring in the right players at the right price.

When you look at the transfers that have gone through, are there that many that you think we should have got him. 3 of our targets stayed put at their clubs, including Kone.

I think the lack of strikers out there willing to move was our biggest problem and if you think how we got Rom in the first place then we're never gonna sign a top striker at the moment with us not being in Europe or winning cups. Slimani came to Leicester as they are champions and are in the Champions League and Mahrez is there as a team mate. Bony is a lazy shite who scores less than Rom. Maybe Geri playing in behind Rom could be the answer. Sissoko will struggle to get into the Spurs side and could end up losing his place in the French team.

RK knows that to rebuild a team you start at the back and make them hard to score against and I think he has already made huge strides in that direction.

If we can get Bolasie and Geri scoring like KM then we'll be doing just fine. Good to read some of the more sensible posts though where people realise we won't just buy crazy for the sake of it or be held to ransom.

Brian Wilkinson
168 Posted 01/09/2016 at 10:58:20
I second that, Liam.
Martin Nicholls
169 Posted 01/09/2016 at 11:02:22
Brilliant spin on the Club website about this loan signing.

It highlights his 16 goals in 29 Internationals and 18 in 23 for Pachuca in 2013-14 but omits to mention 8 in 54 for WHU... or indeed 27 in 130 for his first club, Emelec!

Tony Dove
170 Posted 01/09/2016 at 11:03:30
What a desperately underwhelming transfer window but at least we dodged an expensive bullet in Sissko. What with the arrival of Valencia, we already have a surfeit of players who need the planets to be in alignment before they raise a sweat.
Dave Long
171 Posted 01/09/2016 at 11:08:32
Living in Japan, my 9-year-old son isn't familiar with a lot of common expressions. When I told him we had signed diddly squat, he wanted to know who he was.
Franny Porter
172 Posted 01/09/2016 at 11:11:59
A lot of people seem to be experts on this lad already.

I remember he looked decent during the World Cup but admittedly things haven't gone too well for him whilst with the bubble blowing bellends.

I say give the lad a chance and get behind him. I completely trust RK and SW and if they think the lad can offer us something I for one am inclined to believe them.

At the end of the day, our squad is much stronger than it was last season and I'm very confident we will make great strides between now and January when we can all get in a flap again!

Don Alexander
173 Posted 01/09/2016 at 11:23:17
Dave Ganley @ 158 sums it up perfectly.
Carl Sanderson
174 Posted 01/09/2016 at 11:31:46
This is how it should work:

1. Walsh identifies good players.
2. Koeman decides which ones he wants.
3. The money men then attempt to buy or loan them.

In the cases of Perez, Witsel, Brahimi, Ghezzal, Sissoko et al steps 1 and 2 proceeded smoothly. Step 3 went west because of twattish agents (Sissoko), twattish vendors (Brahimi) or more attractive options (Perez).

Blaming Walsh is wide of the mark.

Brian Murphy
175 Posted 01/09/2016 at 11:53:10
Have to agree with Dave 158 & Carl 174.

Are we in a better position than we were only 3 months ago, totally, its poles apart. We have brought in a decent keeper, strong centre half, what looks to be a great defensive mid, pace and power in Bolassie and and additional front man on loan. We also shipped out McGeady.

The reason we feel so disappointed is that we finally thought we have the dosh, we can buy these players, but o fuck I forget, we've been shit for the last 2 seasons (Maybe 30 seasons) so nobody wants to come to us, YET that is.

When can somebody tell me the last time we were even negotiating for the Brahimi's, Perez, Witzel's or Sissokos, a long bloody time I can tell you. BTW I'm so glad we don't get Sissoko, we have Bolassie, Kev, Del Boy & Lennon. We don't need a big time Charlie who loves Arsenal one minute, Everton the next and then signs for Spurs.

We don't have Champions league footy to offer either and while its clear we have money we wont pay over the odds which is fine by me.

Could we have done things better in the window, yes maybe we could but this is also Moshiri's first stab at this as he was only on the board at Arsenal and had fuck all imput.

Look my general point is things are on the up. We live in a society now that everything needs to be instant and people have no patience. Converting Everton to a top 4-6 Team will take some time, lets be patient and trust the structures Moshiri has put in place. We have just had our best start to the league in years BTW, lets take some deep breaths and enjoy it.

Robert Workman
176 Posted 01/09/2016 at 11:56:23
Just watched a couple of YouTube videos. Not surprised that Valencia scored more goals for Ecuador than West Ham, as he played as a striker as opposed to a midfielder.
Seamus McCrudden
177 Posted 01/09/2016 at 12:15:46
We must have signed Neo from 'The Matrix' with all this bullet dodging thats going on?
Clive Rogers
178 Posted 01/09/2016 at 12:24:51
Koeman has only been there for 2 months and 3 PL games, and really has worked wonders. Personally I would have settled for our signings this window two months ago. In our current position we have to accept that some players won't want to come to us, especially without CL football.

After 20 years of treading water under Kenwright all I have wished for now is steady progress year on year and we are off to a good start.

Carl Sanderson
179 Posted 01/09/2016 at 12:28:10
Robert 176 :

May I ask - have you ever lived in Neston? I only ask because my next-door neighbour there had the same name as you and he was a Blue if I recall correctly.

Neil Gribbin
180 Posted 01/09/2016 at 12:31:04
Brian (#175), well said. Some people need to get a grip. We are in the start of a transition. It will take a year, minimum, until we are the attraction that we want to be. 4 days ago it was all rosy.

I'm happy to bide my time. We've waited 21 years, another 1 or 2??! Easy.

Michael Plant
183 Posted 01/09/2016 at 12:47:28
I really liked the look of Valencia in the World Cup, the guy is a great header of the ball aswell as being lightning quick with a thunderbolt shot. I am very optimistic.

Sissoko is a mercenary, will no doubt have some great games for Spurs but will be few an far between. I think he would have hindered Barkley's development as could see Sissoko, Ross, Gana and Barry all playing and where would it leave youngsters like Davies and Besic.

Seriously think Holgate has dampened the need for a new defender, great breakthrough. The only player I wish we would have had concrete interest in was James Rodriguez, however unrealistic, even 㾶million for a one-season loan, would have loved to have seen that. IRWT

Lordy Hughes
184 Posted 01/09/2016 at 12:56:13
Happy with the TDD Valencia signing. As I said on another thread we deffo missed out on top player in Brahimi but when his club keep us waiting to the last day just so they can pull a fast one jumping from €40 to €50 I too say fair play and have no issue with the fact that we walked away.

Happy with all the other window signings. All have improved on our best. We still need player additions for sure but we do now at least have some additional forward cover in Valencia (I think he may prove a shrewd gamble for a modest outlay) and I am content for us to wait until January and the Summer for more signings that genuinely improve the best 11 we have now.

Niasse is good example of rushing in for a player just for the sake of being seen to spend and ending up with a very poor purchase. Like to see Brahimi here in the New Year though!!!

James Wong
185 Posted 01/09/2016 at 13:02:06
Disappointed we missed on Brahimi, Valencia is obviously a stop gap that's why he's on loan in case they land a top player in Jan or next summer.

Nobody sells first-eleven players at 㾺m. That's a Steven Naismith type of signing.

Don Alexander
186 Posted 01/09/2016 at 13:32:19
Regarding the 𧴜 mill question, Mr Moshiri will have been, ahem, shrewd in watching his expenditure as his fortune grew. I say with the greatest respect to him that he's bought in to make more money, like every other club owner/board in history.

I hope and believe though that he sees success on the field being paramount to his ambition. As others say, it'll not be done in one window though.

Robert Workman
187 Posted 01/09/2016 at 13:34:38
Hi Carl 179. Yes, it was me! Moved to Goostrey in South Cheshire in 1999, then to Vienna in 2005. Still have fond memories of Neston – it is also a lot nearer to Goodison Park!
Carl Sanderson
189 Posted 01/09/2016 at 13:56:09
I left Neston in 2003 when I got married - honeymoon in Vienna! We moved to Hoylake and had two daughters. I'm still here, although my wife passed away on Christmas Eve 2014. I gave up my season ticket then: when the girls are older I'll go back. How nice to "see" you!
Tim Sharpe
190 Posted 01/09/2016 at 14:04:37
@Dave 158 - If we got Messi on a free transfer, there are people on here who would moan that he is too short
Julian Wait
191 Posted 01/09/2016 at 14:05:33
I liked the look of Valencia at the World Cup, but the Hammers fans have been frustrated with him – always injured, not really clicking. However he also had Allardyce as his coach to deal with when he was fit, and as said above, when he was played, it was not in his best position (sounds familiar ...).

I hope it works out, but if it doesn't we send him back and we're out his wages and loan fee, and we move on. Seems like a relatively low risk move to me, and he's got something to prove.

Unfortunately, Porto's group looks relatively easy so they might fancy a run in the Champions League; if they crash and burn, which seems unlikely, Brahimi might be a January option again, but I imagine we'd want it done before the AfNC and at a lower price than we offered now.

Geoff Williams
192 Posted 01/09/2016 at 14:15:21
I am happy with the players we have. Some of the foreign players mentioned would have been expensive gambles. Sissoko is no great loss. The introduction of new players should take place over a few transfer windows otherwise the dynamics within a club could be adversely affected. RK has the ability to make a fair team from the players available.
Baz Daly
193 Posted 01/09/2016 at 15:01:18
I'm happy to have Enner Valencia on board. West Ham never used him properly... he's a different type of striker to Rom... so we can change it up if needs be, and remain effective.

The lad can score a goal in every two games in international football; that is a good sign.

Soren Moyer
194 Posted 01/09/2016 at 15:04:26
I am disappointed we didn't bring in more players during this window, but at the same time pleased it didn't happened with Sissoko. There is absolutly no way that he is worth £30mil.

I am sure we will get the players we want during the January window.

Paul Kossoff
195 Posted 01/09/2016 at 15:15:57
Andy (#144), "I'd rather trust the decision making of the professionals, Koeman and Walsh, rather than the amateurs on here. Never seen so much negative rubbish."

How can you call people on here amateurs? Supporters of 10, 20, 30 years and more, some who have played the game themselves, so we are not to be trusted in our opinions? But you trusted Martinez did you? He worked out well didn't he?

If Kenwright had listened to the people on here for the last few years, we would not have had to put up with the last two seasons of embarrassment.

Amateurs? I don't think so.

Andy Walker
196 Posted 01/09/2016 at 15:37:05
Paul 195, I was prolific from day 1 of Martinez's appointment in slagging him off on this site as not being fit for the job of managing our club having relegated his past club and continually spouting diatribes. He was an amateur masquerading as a professional manager.

I took much stick at the time from the majority of fans on here (many no doubt with decades of 'experience') who thought Martinez would be great for us. We'll say no more hey.

It seems quite ironic that you bring up the clown as a way to counter my view. He just reinforces my point.

I'll take Koeman and Walsh's judgement any day, I trust them based on the hard evidence of their successful past. It's no guarantee of course for a the future, but they have been successful, unlike Martinez who fluked a cup (thanks to us too).

Dean Mckenna
197 Posted 01/09/2016 at 15:41:06
Koeman and Walsh didn't get all they wanted in this transfer window and it's clear there is still a lot of work that needs to be done at the club in getting people in who can negotiate with clubs and complete a deal. Expect fingers to be pointing at Goodison Park today and don't be surprised by a departure over the next few weeks. My money is on Elstone.

On the positive side – really glad we didn't get Sissoko. I don't think there is a single fan out there who wanted him if we're being honest.

Donald Neville
198 Posted 01/09/2016 at 15:51:07
I don't know. Valencia has good speed and decent touch and a good finish. Maybe RK is planning a two striker set up?

With Rom's strength and Valencia's speed, it's not a bad combo. I am glad though that Sissoko went to Spirs instead. Never liked him. Last season, he just stopped playing for NUFC during the relegation battles.

Andy Walker
199 Posted 01/09/2016 at 16:21:12
I think you might be right Donald. Valencia and Lukaku would compliment each other nicely. You could never have played say Bony and Lukaku together as they are too alike but Valencia gives us new options.

I also a agree with you about Sissoko, we dodged a bullet there. Heard Spurs fans moaning on the radio today about their terrible transfer window, ha ha!

Mick Davies
200 Posted 01/09/2016 at 16:28:12
Well at least we've got this announcement over the ground move coming up on Sept 1st – oh hang on, I've just checked the date...
Geoff Evans
201 Posted 01/09/2016 at 16:32:24
Now RK knows what he's really taken on.
Joe Edwards
202 Posted 01/09/2016 at 16:33:57
Dave (#28), I couldn't agree more, what a pessimistic shower of doom mongers most of you are. I am made up Koeman isn't panic-buying shite hawks like Niasse, who was "extensively scouted" by the Spanish cretin.

I don't believe for 1 minute Koeman was desperately pressing the "bid now" button, jewelled away from deals because players were either a) mercenary fuckwits or b) grossly overpriced by chance clubs like Porto. Just because he had nonresident mean you have to throw it out of the Window.

I am more than happy with the strengthening of our squad, which don't forget is more or less the same as last season and described as the best of a generation but managed by a total spazzwit.

Paul Conway
203 Posted 01/09/2016 at 17:24:15
Little by little, the birds make their nests!
James Watts
204 Posted 01/09/2016 at 18:24:06
The only positive I can see from this is that Moshiri will have now seen how utterly useless BK and Elstone are. If he hasn't and they are still in power by the next window it proves to me that Mosh is no better and not our saviour. Just another Green and bullshitter BK style.

I hope RK isn't feeling like us today.

Not happy at all.

Michael Polley
205 Posted 01/09/2016 at 19:39:15
Think Valencia was a last-ditch panic loan deal, but I'll give the guy a chance. Maybe he will compliment Lukaku...
Clive Rogers
207 Posted 01/09/2016 at 20:41:21
McAleny is not included in the squad submitted to the Premier League.
Paul Kossoff
208 Posted 01/09/2016 at 21:07:00
As someone said, we go with what we have got.

I've supported Everton all my footballing life, and no matter who is in charge, who we have bought it's our club, so I'll support them 100%, Coyb.

Paul Kossoff
209 Posted 01/09/2016 at 21:12:02
Andy 196, Point taken, we are all Evertonians and, and we all know Martinez was a mistake from day one, but most on here know what we are talking about, and given the chance would do just as good a job as most of the so called pros in football.
Paul Kossoff
210 Posted 01/09/2016 at 21:18:58
Andy (#196),

'It seems quite ironic that you bring up the clown as a way to counter my view. He just reinforces my point.'

That reinforces my view too dosn't it? That just because a so-called pro is paid vast amounts to manage a club doesn't mean he knows what he's doing. I'm sure you would have managed Everton much more successfully than Martinez did.

Alan McGuffog
211 Posted 01/09/2016 at 21:36:35
Well I certainly do not intend to give this guy a chance. He is without doubt the worst player Everton has ever signed. Ever. Imagine the love child of Rod Belfit and Bernie Wright. Boooooooo. And boo again. I blame Johnny Carey. Booooooo I say.
Anthony Flack
212 Posted 01/09/2016 at 22:12:12
Alan, he cannot be as bad as Brett Angell.
Joe Digney
213 Posted 02/09/2016 at 10:18:26
Koeman had Shane long scoring and actually bullying defences last year so I'm sure he can get this lad working hard and scoring goals. Think his pace next to lukaku could work well, we all know lukaku is better when he has someone next to him.
David Midgley
214 Posted 03/09/2016 at 18:16:28
The window is closed. At last.

I have read some great pertinent thought-provoking comments, as I would expect on TW.

Regarding why we didn't sign so and so? How does anyone on TW know what the club tried? It's not just making a high bid, the club but the player has to agree also.

Right now, EFC are a side and club in transition, and for a player from abroad we are a leap in the dark. All our signings so far have been from the EPL more or less and know about us and our manager.

No new players, unless they are out of contract, will be arriving. I think this will be a good thing. I honestly don't think our new manager and our new scouting staff have really had time to properly assess what we have.

A new fitness regime and a new style of play tales time to adjust to. The players as a whole know that they will not be leaving this week. That doesn't mean they won't be leaving at all but they have four months before the next window and have plenty of time to prove themselves. They will all become fitter. I think we will all be surprised who steps up to the mark.

Our new scouting staff will have four months to find the type of players we want for the style of football we will be playing by December after they were recruited to unearth cheap gems, not Pogbas.

So!!! Let's calm down, nothing can be changed. Koeman reminds me lot of Harry Catterick. Alan Ball said "Once you've been touched..." Ronald has only been here a short time but I bet he's been touched, he's nobody's fool and he's probably thinking... Wow!!

So lets's all fasten our seatbelts and enjoy the ride


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